Well the record winning streak continues. I was hoping for a New Zealand upset, but it wsan’t to be. Now NZ must beat India to stay alive. Even then they’d probably have to play Aussie in the semis…
A billion people, minus a few cynics.
Even after this? That’s optimisim… 
Grim
Well, Kenya just flattened Zimbabwe for 133 (Collins Obuya and Martin Suji three wickets apiece). So Kenya is on to the semi-finals…probably the most unbelieveable result in cricket history. Did anyone think they’d win more than one match?
That’s where the cynics come from.
Seriously though, after we lost that match, we haven’t a single game after that. In fact, we have the second best record in this World Cup after the Aussies.
Kenya just qualified for the semi-final after thumping Zimbabwe.
This means
1)Australia 20 + (4 from vs. Kenya)
2)India 16 (assume that they lose to NZ)
3) Kenya 14
4) NZ 12
In any case, India face Kenya in SF, so I’ll assume we’re through to the finals easily.
OTOH, while Australia looks unstoppable, they will be defeated sometime. I just think, it will be in the SF or final.
Zimbabwe had a complete shocker.
Oh, I have no doubt that it will be Australia v India in the final, and I want, with all my heart, for India (or anyone else for that matter ;)) to win, but I can quite easily see them slumping to another 9 wicket loss as winning. It’s been that kind of a Cup…
Grim
As we say in South Africa “I support two teams: South Africa and whoever’s playing Australia”. So I’ll be rooting for Sachin’s boys come the final.
That’s a pretty common position around the cricketing world these days. Everyones getting sick of the Aussie dominaiton.
Congratulations ot Kenya, the dream run continues.
No more than this match made me mistake Allan Border for a genuine all-rounder.
I think he’s got potential, but I’m still not sure he’s the best bowler in the side, let alone a genuine striker.
In other news, I heard a sports reporter this morning stating that Kenya had “made a mockery” of the World Cup by qualifying for the semis. How? By winning upsets? Nevertheless, with the semis shaping up as India/Kenya and Australia/Sri Lanka, you’d have to think that Australia may not be favourites. Two tough games, one on their bogey ground, and a loss in either would put them out. One Day cricket can provide upsets pretty easily - would it be better to schedule best-of-three finals?
Am I the only one surprised with Zimbabwe this tournament? I thought they looked a genuine dark horse coming into the Cup, but they’ve been nothing but disappointing.
Count me in this group, and i’m an Australian.
If they would win with humility, and without the sledging tactics that have become such a trademark of their game, i’d be perfectly happy. But many members of the team have developed an inflated sense of their own importance and invulnerability over the past few seasons, and maybe a loss or two would bring them back down to earth.
Also, i’m a fan of the game of cricket, and i don’t think single-team domination is really good for the game. I like to see close and interesting games, whether at the test or the one-day level, and would prefer to watch Australia lose a close game than see them win in a canter.
I’m Indian and I can maybe provide some insight at to why I think India will triumph in the Final. Ever since Time Immemorial, ok, maybe a bit later, Indians have had the attitude that there’s no need to exert as long as the going’s easy and unimportant. So, league matches individually don’t really matter, only the collective total points. This is demonstrated by the sheer number of times, we have qualified for the next round of so many tournaments by having to score runs quickly in the final league game.
Now that India are guaranteed 2nd in SF race, I won’t be surprised if we show a lacklustre effort in the Super Six game vs. NZ. By that same token, I’ll expect a focused and hopefully winning performance in the Final.
Just so long as their lacklustre effort lets NZ through into the semis…
Setting everything up for an India-NZ final after we dispose of the Aussies for you.
It took a little while - but at last I have won the World Cup.
Not quite the lacklustre effort one might have expected - two wickets in the first two overs leaves NZ on 0/2, currently 38/2
Grim
On Preview: Another wicket down - 38/3!!
I don’t buy that theory about team domination not being good for the game- in this case at least. Australia are what every other country are striving to be- and they are not invincible. Just remember the tour of India (although I still believe that if Laxman had gone in the second Test Australia would have got a clean sweep). And Parkinson, the English television commentator has said he considers this is the best team of all time- not that other teams could not have beaten them- but for the way they have changed the game.
Back to the World Cup. India would have to be favourites to beat NZ, and Sri Lanka over Zimbabwe.
It’s not exactky a bold prediction- but India must beat Kenya, and I think Australia will be totally focussed on beating SL after the Lehman incident. An India vs Australia final. Although Australia will miss Gillespie, against India the loss of Warne won’t be so severe as they play him so well. Australia on top.
:rolleyes:
Which scenario did you play? More importantly, did you have the hints ON?
(That is one game, I tell ya!)
All four - in one sitting, although not without failure in the same sitting!! I do keep the hints on, but don’t actually look at them any more…
And thus goes the first 15 minutes of every day… 
Grim
Oh and for the real thing - NZ have been bowled out for 146 and India have lost their first wicket in the second over (now 7-1 after 3 overs). Sounds like a good game to be watching - and me stuck at work… 
I agree with you in many ways. I never said i didn’t think Australia were a great team, and i also think that their talent and commitment is helping to raise the level of cricket worldwide.
I just wish:
a) they didn’t gloat and sledge so much
b) the other teams would hurry up and catch up, especially in the case of test matches.